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Paula Davis, owner of Blooms and Petals Fresh Flowers and Event Concepts, adjusts an arrangement being donated to workers on the front line of the Covid-19 pandemic, Thursday, April 2, 2020 in Lafayette. (Photo: Nikos Frazier | Journal & Courier)

LAFAYETTE – With flowers to spare, Blooms and Petals Fresh Flowers has started to donate bouquets and gift baskets to those in the medical field, first responders and essential workers who are experiencing extra stress battling the coronavirus pandemic.

“I mean it's not always about the uniform, it's about those people whose jobs are necessary,” Paula Davis, owner of the downtown Lafayette shop, said. “They have to show up to work, and without them, our society stops functioning.”

The Main Street flower shop had placed its flower order months ahead of the pandemic and a statewide stay-at-home order, planning for its usual spring orders: Easter, Mother’s Day, high school proms and graduations.

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Paula Davis, owner of Blooms and Petals Fresh Flowers and Event Concepts, reads a card from the flower bouquet being donated to the West Lafayette Police Chief Troy Harris and the department, Thursday, April 2, 2020 in West Lafayette.(Photo: Nikos Frazier | Journal & Courier)

“Right when corona hit, I had already placed my second quarter flower orders,” Davis said. “So, because demand was down, there was some surplus that I can dedicate to help in this effort.”

Davis started the “Good Samaritan Project” with the excess flora and said others have joined in the cause, either ordering for a specific person or donating for the project.

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Paula Davis, owner of Blooms and Petals Fresh Flowers and Event Concepts, reads a card that is included in each flower arrangement being donated to workers on the front line of the Covid-19 pandemic, Thursday, April 2, 2020 in Lafayette. (Photo: Nikos Frazier | Journal & Courier)

“As a florist I've experienced firsthand the power of flowers, I’ve seen how it impacts people’s lives,” Davis said. “So, I thought, let's get them some support let them know that we appreciate them and send them some warm wishes.”

Davis focused on the local police departments this week, delivering flowers on Thursday to the West Lafayette Police Department and Tippecanoe County Sheriff’s Office. Davis planned on sending bouquets to local fire departments in the coming days.